Phone scammers trying to con Lake Norman businesses and homeowners

“Nigerian phone scammers” are trying to con Lake Norman businesses and homeowners by demanding credit card payments for supposedly overdue energy bills, said Bill Russell, president and CEO of the Cornelius-based Lake Norman Chamber of Commerce.

The callers say “there is a disconnection notice for the power,” usually in the next hour, and that several final notices have been sent, Russell said. They ask for immediate payment.

Some have represented themselves as calling from Duke Energy or EnergyUnited. he said. When asked specifics about the utility company or account, they cite security in declining to say more, Russell said.

Police are aware of the calls, which are coming from South Carolina, Russell said. He urged people who receive such calls to report them immediately to their local police department.